They’re the words of an Ohio shelter founder who help saved Gregory the dog from death row.

Gregory was slated to be euthanized at the Franklin County Dog Shelter in Columbus after testing positive for heartworm, according to rescuers.

Schenley Hutson Kirk, who co-founded HOUND Rescue and Sanctuary, helped rescue Gregory before the dog was euthanized. She shared a photo of the pooch leaving what could have been its final home.

"’Gregory’ is one thankful and appreciative Beagle!” her Facebook post read. “He KNOWS he is SAFE! He is Heartworm Positive and will be going through treatment, but he knows he is in good hands! We will get him healthy and provide him all the love he so deserves and a wonderful future!!”

Save the Date: Help Clear the Shelters on Aug. 18

Clear the Shelters takes place Aug. 18 across the country. NBC and Telemundo stations are pleased to team up with hundreds of shelters nationwide for the fourth annual animal adoption drive. Since 2015, Clear the Shelters has helped 153,651 pets find forever homes.

(Published Wednesday, May 2, 2018)

The caption was accompanied by a photo of Kirk’s husband, Joe, driving Gregory on a “freedom ride.” In the image, Gregory is seen nuzzling Joe’s shoulder with a paw on Joe’s arm.

Joe told "Today" he drove two hours to pick up the dog, saying the moment he met Gregory it felt like they "known each other for years."

Normally, the shelter transports dogs in crates, but Joe told "Today" he felt Gregory had been caged up for too long and chose to instead tether him in the back seat.

“This is what makes it all worthwhile!” Kirk wrote. “This is why we rescue.”

The post has been shared more than 9,000 times since it was posted at the start of the month. Kirk has asked for donations to help with Gregory’s treatment, which can be made here.

The couple said the shelter already has an adoption offer for Gregory since the post went viral. Once the dog is cleared by a vet, the adopters will have their first meet and greet with what could be the newest member of their family.

More than 80,000 pets were adopted through the 2017 Clear the Shelters campaign, a nationwide push to place deserving animals in forever homes. Join the conversation on social media using #ClearTheShelters.